Why I admire Steve Ballmer
Posted on: September 25, 2008I'll preface: if Steve Ballmer really threatened to physically harm Eric Schmidt of Google, shame on him. I don't approve of that at all, and that's stupid behavior. I don't agree with his stance vs. open source software either, but his polarized views create interest and press which others apparently can't help but react to. He's the smart one, not the dumbnuts in the media.
And when Ballmer flails around in public, that's smart behavior. So smart it gets imitated by lovecats. Here you have an incredibly wealthy and successful man, who is intensely loyal. He repeatedly declares and visibly demonstrates how much he loves Microsoft. That's a loyalty even Donald Trump could only pray for in his employees.
Ballmer is a over-the-top, canny dude, and I love his zest for infectious expression. There are very few CEOs and execs who would have fun like that, let alone one who's the head of such a public and scrutinized company.
Keep dancing, Ballmer. And please honor us with a sequel to your Windows 1.0 ad in time for Windows 7.
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September 26th, 2008 at 9:51 AM PDT
Whaaat? Admire Ballmer? That's like John the Baptist admiring Satan. Dude - you need a Reality Check.
Peace, Luv & Soul
September 27th, 2008 at 8:31 AM PDT
Personally, I find Eric Schmidt much more admirable.
September 28th, 2008 at 7:05 AM PDT
Tamu and Ghosty, both of you, please declare *why*! I've already stated why I admire Ballmer (but not some of his aggressive traits).
September 28th, 2008 at 11:46 AM PDT
It's a question of motives. Ballmer has very aggressive traits, not just in interpersonal dealings but in business as well. We know how he feels about open source, and we know how he feels about Google, never mind Schmidt. Ballmer hates the likes of Google, Sun and other similar companies because Ballmer is much more interested in MS attaining greater market share and greater profit than he is in helping that market attain greater interoperability and efficiency.
It's exactly why Ballmer was chosen to replace Gates as CEO. Both MS and Google are profitable. Both CEOs are wealthy from their efforts. One, however, is geared for feeding that market what it needs to grow and become a healthier organism for his company to profit by - and the other is looking for a larger teat for his corporation to latch onto.
If you're going to impress Brin and Page, impress them enough to have them add a third seat for you, you need to have more than just business sense and smarts. Google's founders are famous for their altruism and for making the web a more organized and interoperable place, something that simply doesn't fit the MO of Ballmer, Gates or Microsoft in general. Schmidt is a "pussy" in Ballmer's eyes because Schmidt is not about corporate gluttony or personal power. It must make Ballmer absolutely crazy to know Schmidt sits where he does.
Admiring Ballmer leaves the same sort of taste in my mouth that admiration for the enemy in battle would. Yes, he's formidable, zealous and tough. Ballmer is intelligent, diligent and loyal to the cause. He will also bury you mercilessly if he thinks you stand in the way of his company's victory. Burying people and companies is a hallmark of Microsoft, and Ballmer wasn't chosen to become CEO for being a swell guy.
Heck, I admire Gates more than Ballmer, never mind Schmidt.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:42 AM PDT
@Ghosty: Well-reasoned! Different leadership styles are at odds with each other — some've said that Gates and Ballmer, with their contrasting-but-complementary styles, kept each other in check. I wonder who'll keep Ballmer in check now.